Henry Coe State Park Mountain-Bike Camping 2007

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The 10-ton bike is ready to leave downtown San José to head for Henry Coe State Park.

Date: August 26, 2007, 12h05

Day 9: China Hole to Park Headquarters, followed by the ride home to downtown San José

After a pleasant climb out of the canyon from China Hole, I'm almost back at Park Headquarters to mark the end of my trip when firefighters begin arriving to fight a brush fire that has broken out in a remote area on the northeast edge of the Park.

Departing Park visitors aren't allowed to leave the Park for an hour or so because the narrow, winding access road is closed to allow fire crews to bring in their equipment.

Eventually, I begin the ride down Dunne Avenue to Morgan Hill, followed by the 22-mile ride up Monterey Road to home in downtown San José.

I managed to sleep in a bit this beautiful Labour Day morning. The enclosing hills here prevent the sun from getting down into the canyon too early and baking the tent.

Date: September 03, 2007, 09h21

The tent, as seen from the China Hole Trail rising up the northwest side of the canyon.

It's hard to get a good photo of this area because the canyon is narrow and there is so much foliage.

Date: September 03, 2007, 09h47

Stepping out onto a rock that rises above water level in the China Hole pool.

In the spring and early summer, when there's more water than this, it's said that this is a nice swimming hole.

Date: September 03, 2007, 21h42

Close-up of the pool at China Hole.

There's an algal film along the gravel at the bottom of the pool, but the water itself looks fairly clean and clear. If I had a functional water filter, I wouldn't hesitate to filter and drink this water.

Date: September 03, 2007, 10h52

OK, I'm leaving China Hole. Crap, this is my last day in Coe Park and now I'm leaving and going back home.

First, I have to get back to Park Headquarters, about 5.5 miles away from here and up at 2640 feet (I'm at 1150 feet right now). I have some climbing to do.

Date: September 03, 2007, 11h38

China Hole Trail rises quickly out of the canyon.

I'm just a couple of switchbacks up and I already have a great view up The Narrows.

Date: September 03, 2007, 12h03

I've just turned around and am looking back down into the canyon.

The China Hole campsite is down at the bottom somewhere.

Date: September 03, 2007, 12h04

China Hole Trail winds across a meadow on its way up.

With no drop-off on either side of the trail, I'm able to get back on the bike and ride this section.

Date: September 03, 2007, 12h18

A little higher up China Hole Trail, the trail rides along a steep slope. More great views!

I'm back to walking the 10-ton bike here; it would be too easy to fall down the hill! I climb up the hill to take this photo overlooking the bike on the trail below and The Narrows beyond.